What's the best way to clean dirty bicycle chain oil from chair upholstery?

You are hosed.

Try OxiClean.

Try hand claener with some water on a clean rag. Blot the spot

Try Goo Gone.

Goo Gone® is a quick and fast working solution to remove adhesive, chewing gum, grease, tar, stickers, tree sap, labels, tape residue, oil, blood, lipstick, mascara, shoe polish, crayon, wax and even bumper stickers! It leaves no residue behind and contains no harsh odors. Safe to use on carpets, upholstery, clothing, wood, vinyl, plastic, glass, stone, laminate, ceramic, painted surfaces and even cement.

Liquid Dawn contains degreaser. Rub it on the stain, then sop it off with a wet paper towel. You have to keep dabbing at it for several minutes, and change towels frequently.

TSP – Tri-sodium phosphate. It comes in a box at Home Depot or the equivalent type of mega-hardware store where you are. A box is about US$10. Dissolve ¼ cup in 2 gallons of very warm water and scrub the stain out. Make sure you wear gloves and that the room you’re cleaning in is well-ventilated.

Why was the bicycle chain sitting in an upholstered chair? ;-)

@ccrow Hasn’t that ever happened to you? Someone brings the bike in out of the rain, or to keep it from getting stolen? It happens to a lot of people who store their bikes on their apartment balcony or patio.

I knew of someone who kept his bike on the top bunk, while he slept on the bottom one…